Lakers meet with Carmelo Anthony, but will they meet with LeBron James?

In this March 5, 2014, file photo, New York Knicks' Carmelo Anthony, right, leaves the floor as he drives around Minnesota Timberwolves' Dante Cunningham in the second half of an NBA basketball game in Minneapolis. A person with knowledge of the plans says the Knicks also planned to meet with Anthony on Thursday, July 3, 2014, in Los Angeles. Anthony was in Los Angeles to meet with the Lakers, who are among the teams hoping to convince the All-Star forward to leave New York. (AP Photo/Jim Mone, File)

The Lakers seemed busy enough on Thursday, meeting with New York Knicks star Carmelo Anthony for 2 1/2 hours at the Lakers’ practice facility in El Segundo. But their day was far from over.

Both Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak and Lakers Senior vice president of Business Operations Tim Harris flew to Cleveland on Thursday evening to meet with LeBron James’ agent today, according to reports. James’ agent, Rich Paul, is based out of Cleveland and has been reported to have talked with the Phoenix Suns, Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks about James. Meanwhile, James has indicated on his Twitter account that he is out of the country vacationing with his family. He reportedly will attend the World Cup final in Brazil on July 13.

It remains unclear whether the Lakers or any other team will speak with James after he opted out of his contract with the Miami Heat. Still, the Lakers’ determination in at least talking with Paul could establish in-roads with James.

The Lakers already feel that way with Anthony, though he could earn a five-year deal worth $129.1 million with the Knicks as opposed to a maximum of four years worth $95.9 million elsewhere. After Kupchak escorted Anthony to his car, he drove off and stopped briefly to talk with reporters.

“You know I can’t say anything,” Anthony said after rolling down the window of his red Rolls Royce. “Just wanted to say what’s up.” Anthony then signed four basketballs and a T-shirt for about eight Lakers fans who approached him.

Lakers sources said they were pleased with the meeting in part because of the enthusiasm and attention Anthony showed. The meeting included a wide cast of characters, including team president Jeanie Buss, executive Jim Buss, Kupchak, Harris, former Lakers player James Worthy, and executives with Time Warner Cable SportsNet and AEG. Despite giving Anthony, his agent Leon Rose and business manager Bay Frazier some California love, the Lakers offered no sense on whether Anthony remained impressed enough to sign up after also considering Chicago, Houston, Dallas and New York.

Still, the meeting was important enough for Kobe Bryant to end his European vacation and fly to Los Angeles, He couldn’t arrive on time for the meeting, but a league source said Bryant planned to visit Anthony at some point following the Knicks’ meeting with him on Thursday.

According to various team sources, the Lakers made a few pitches beyond touting their 16 NBA championships. They presented the various marketing opportunities afforded both for playing with the Lakers and living in Los Angeles. They brought up how Anthony would enjoy the working environment considering he and his wife, La La Vasquez, already own a home here. According to a team source, the Lakers constructed a mocked-up a Lakers uniform with the No. 7 and Anthony’s name, the number he currently wears with the Knicks.

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Although the Lakers securing Bryant to a two-year extension worth $48.5 million presents challenges in filling out their roster, the Lakers mentioned how that deal illustrates how the team takes care of its stars. It is also safe to assume the Lakers expressed optimism about Bryant’s recovery from injuries that limited him to six games last season, the team’s financial flexibility and its unyielding commitment toward pursuing championships.

The Lakers preferred having a more private atmosphere than the public displays Chicago and Houston unveiled. Those presentations mirrored that of a pep rally, with billboards of Anthony’s likeness plastered in their respective city and arena. The Lakers wanted to focus more on the substance of their pitch than any bells and whistles.

Etc.

Lakers assistant coach Kurt Rambis agreed to a four-year deal worth $1.2 million to become a Knicks assistant coach under Derek Fisher, according to a league source familiar with the situation ... Lakers center Chris Kaman agreed to a two-year deal worth nearly $10 million with Portland ...The Golden State Warriors expressed interest in Kent Bazemore, according to league source.